Trusting Salford pensioner made to feel ‘scared and intimidated’ by fraudster who posed as decorator to steal cash

Trusting Salford pensioner made to feel ‘scared and intimidated’ by fraudster who posed as decorator to steal cash

An 80-year-old man kindly let a stranger into his Salford home for a glass of water only to be robbed by him minutes later.

The offender, who pretended to know the pensioner, called at his house in Ordsall on the night of Thursday May 9 and said he heard he wanted some decorating doing.

He was invited into the home and after 10 minutes of talking demanded money from the victim who handed over the cash.

Detective Constable James Harris, said: “The offender has effectively forced his way in and made the victim feel scared and intimidated throughout.

“I want to appeal to anyone who thinks they know this person to call us but to also warn local residents, especially the elderly community, to be aware of this man and the way he operates.”

The man, who spoke with a local accent, was carrying a bag with rolls of wallpaper in and is described as white, of stocky build and about 45 years old, left.

DC Harris has given advice to residents, warning them to stay alert and to not open the door to a stranger.

He said: “There are many steps you can take if you get an unknown caller, such as talking to them through a window or using a stop chain. If you are even remotely unsure about the identity of the caller not let them in and if you are in anyway worried or become frightened please call the police.”

Anyone with information about the offender is asked to call police on 0161 856 5351, or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.